Does Wood have a future in Philadelphia?

Up until this point, the spots open in the Phillies bullpen were have believed to have been left for the youngsters to battle over during spring training.

But if Jerry Crasnick is right, one more position out there may be being claimed soon.

The ESPN.com baseball insider is reporting that the Phillies are interested in Kerry Wood.

According to ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine, the 34-year-old reliever, a free agent, told NBC-5 Chicago on Sunday night that he’ll make a decision on where he will pitch by Friday. However, Wood had previously told the TV station a week ago that he was confident he would sign with the Cubs.

The fact that Wood has a decision to make is certainly newsworthy. Levine reported in September that Wood told media members that if he didn’t pitch for the Cubs in 2012, he would retire.

“I’m not going to play anywhere else,” Wood is on the record as saying. “I’m hoping the Cubs want me back next season. My commitment is to the Cubs. And although I still want to pitch, if they don’t want me back, then I’ll retire.”

In 55 games (51.0 IP) for the Cubs a season ago, Wood was 3-5 with a 3.35 ERA. He fanned 57 and walked 21 before tearing meniscus in his left knee in September, which ended his season and led to arthroscopic surgery.

If the Phillies do indeed sign Wood, who would come cheap (he signed a one-year, $1.5 million free agent deal for 2011 with the Cubs) it could take a chance a way from a youngster such as Phillippe Aumont or Justin De Fratus.